September 21, 2024 archive

Commissioner Hiett wants more time to respond to lawsuit by 3 legislators

  Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Todd Hiett wants more time from the State Supreme Court to respond to the lawsuit filed against him by three legislators. He filed a motion on Friday requesting a 14-day extension of time after the Court responded to the lawsuit by Reps. Tom Gann of Inola, Kevin West of Moore and …

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Chesapeake and Southwestern Energy merger moves closer to completion

The $7 billion merger of Oklahoma City’s Chesapeake Energy and Houston-based Southwestern Energy is closer at hand. After a delay caused by the Federal Trade Commission which wanted more documents and details of the deal, now the two companies anticipate a closing early in the fourth quarter. It’s what Chesapeake CEO Nick Dell’Osso said over …

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Texas officials consider oil and gas operations caused 5.1 magnitude earthquake

  The Texas Railroad Commission wasted little time in starting an investigation into whether oil and gas operations and wastewater disposal wells were linked to last week’s 5.1 magnitude earthquake that rattled the Permian Basin. The quake was centered about 28 miles north of Midland and was one of the strongest recorded in Texas history. …

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Energy briefs

** An agriculture industry watchdog sues Arkansas-based Tyson Foods for misleading consumers by marketing “climate friendly” beef and pledging to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 despite the near impossibility of mass-producing beef in ways that benefit the climate. ** Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) expressed optimism this week that lawmakers would soon reach a deal to extend radiation …

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Feds To Award $3B To Battery Makers

Federal grants worth $3 billion will be awarded to 25 battery-making operations in 14 states.  The list of states hasn’t been released yet. Reuters is reporting the Biden administration wants to shift the battery supply chain away from China.  The grants should drive increased domestic production of advanced batteries and battery materials. The money will …

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Ethics questions are raised about a southeast Oklahoma solar project and a state legislator

  Questions are being raised about the ethics of State Rep. Justin Humphrey and his profiting from a proposed huge solar farm in southeast Oklahoma. The 5,000-acre solar project is proposed by Orested, a Denmark company. Click here for KOSU Radio  

Oklahoma City Ranks 2nd In Nation For New Hires

Researchers at ADP rank Oklahoma City second in the nation for the number of new hires.  The Oklahoman reports the higher-than-average hiring rates and pay growths balance out the region’s low starting salaries. The same report finds the local unemployment rate well below the national rate of 4.2%.  Oklahoma County checks in at 3.4%. Oklahoma …

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Biden Climate Adviser Podesta Hails Increasing Domestic Gas Output

The president’s senior climate advisor is praising the country’s increasing domestic gas output. Rigzone.com notes the surprising supportive statement from John Podesta. The US is now the world’s top oil producer, pumping half-again as much crude as Saudi Arabia.  Podesta says, “That’s good for the American consumer and good for national security.” Podesta made the …

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Court approves Mammoth’s settlement with Puerto Rico over 2017 hurricane payments

    Oklahoma City’s Mammoth Energy Services Inc. says a Title III Court judge has approved a settlement agreement the company reached regarding a fight over delayed payments from Puerto Rico for the firm’s power restoration work following 2017 Hurricane Maria. The settlement was with the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) and won approval …

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Williams Cos. gift to support Engineering, Energy and Business at OU

  (Williams President and CEO Alan Armstrong meets with University of Oklahoma summer interns and Williams employees in the rotational program who graduated from OU.)   The University of Oklahoma announced that a significant gift from Williams will allow the university to grow student support and mentorship programs, as well as degree offerings across multiple …

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